The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-20
THE eRAY-coY-BARR1soN FIGHT.


elements of such a conflict to develop and ar
range themselves in order of battle. In this
case the clouds were gathering for good
while, and the rumbling thunder was heard
in the distance fer quite length of time be-
fore the storm broke. The battle of the polit-
joal elements IL now fairly on, and those not
engaged in it may speculate the probable
outcome and results. The leaders of the OPP
posing factions who are marshaling their
forces for the fray and sharpening their
hatchets as they were never sharpened before,
are Governor Gray on side and Sim Coy,
assisted by DIR. Harrison and Gapen and the
| Coy gang on the other. Behind these leaders
either side is large following representing
| the active forces of the Democratic par
ty. Governor Gray leads what for
called the honest, decent, reform
element of the Democratic party; Coy & Co.
lead the toughs, the corruptionists, and the
every thing town crowd. This division of
the party and leaders is owing more to acct
! dental circumstances than to any moral differ
Analysing too closely the causes events that
| have brought it about it is enough for the
| present that this array and arrangement
of forces does exist. The contest is for the
control of the Democratic party. Governor
Gray, of respectable character, clean
life, recognized ability as a political leader,
and something of national reputation does
not perhaps, feel fattered at finding himself
pitted against such men as Coy and Harrison.
They are greatly his interiors in every respect,
yet they represent an active, powerful ele-
ment in the Democratic party, and they know
it. 1t is question whether the Governor
will down them, they down him. In one
sense they are hardly foemen worthy of his
steel, but they are Democrats, and, according
to the code, Democrat is good
other. Governor Gray is a shrewd politician,
and he possesses the qualities of nerve,
bravery and persistence in large degree.
These are good fighting qualities, and the
Governor is a good fighter. He is good
strategist, as well as tactician. He knows
when to move and when to lie on his arms,
when to advance and when to retreat, when
to attack and when to await attack, when
to strike and when to parry. And he Is a hard
hitter. His position Governor, and
recognized leader of the party in Indiana gives
him prestige, influence and political weapons
such as he knows now to use. He can play
some cards that the other fellows neither
trump nor follow suit. On the other hand
the Coy Harrison gang have resources of their
own. They have the advantage of not being
restrained by any of the laws of civilized
political warfare. They are entirely unscrup-
ulous as to mean fa sthods and weapons. So
far as character and reputation are concerned
they have nothing to lose. In this regard
they go into action in light marching order
In a moral sense they unincumbered. If
the Governor wants any points to their
methods of political warfare he can get them
from the Republican party. However, as they
have been camping together, and fighting
under the same banner, perhaps he knows all
about it. Coy, Harrison & Co. can, and will,
do things that the Governor cannot afford to
do. He has some reputation to lose, they
have none. He has never been indicted for
felony, nor expelled from medical society
for unprofessional conduct. He has never
stood in with confidence men, and does not
wear a diamond obtained in a dicker with a
thief He had no hand in the tally sheet for
geries nor in furnishing maggotty butter and
rotten meat to the States insane. In these
regards he differs from the leaders arrayed
against him. This gives them certain kind
of advantage that will weigh much with
their following the Governors cleaner
record and more respectable characte, will
with bis. In addition to this, Coy and Harri-
son are no fools. In their line of work and
kind of politics they are smart politicians.
They know the men and elements they have
to deal with, and know how to accomplish the
particular kind of results they want to accom-
plish as we'll as the Governor does on his
side.
The progress of the fight will be watched
with interest. 1t is struggle between oppos-
ing elements for the control of political
party. It is really battle between principles
and methods question whether the best or
the worst elements of the Democratic party
shall control it. In this, in some other
matters, the best is none too good but it is |
vast improvement on the worst. AS to the
final result there is not partic lie of doubt
The Coy-Harrison gang will be beaten.
They may gain temporary partial
advantage, but in the end tn ey will be
beaten.
POSTMASTER GENERAL Villas is taking a
vacation in Wisconsin but not neglecting his
yice-presidental boom. 1t has become the